Top GOP adviser urges Republicans against endorsing Senate big John DeFrancisco for governor

A top GOP adviser said the Cuomo campaign will attack Sen. John DeFrancisco for double dipping by collecting his lawmaker pay and pension. (Hans Pennink/AP)

ALBANY — A prominent Republican consultant is urging GOP leaders to hold off from endorsing state Senate Deputy Majority Leader John DeFrancisco for governor.

O'Brien Murray sent an email Tuesday to county GOP leaders saying DeFrancisco's record in the Senate could torpedo any chance the party has of beating Gov. Cuomo in November.

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Murray cited the fact that DeFrancisco is double dipping by collecting both his lawmaker salary and pension.

"Gov. Cuomo's campaign will attack John DeFrancisco for double dipping and they will point out that Sen. DeFrancisco voted for the Cuomo budgets," Murray wrote. "You can't fix Albany when you are part of the problem, and voters (will) see this too."

Joseph Holland, a former aide to ex-Gov. George Pataki, and former Erie County Executive Joel Giambra have also announced their intentions to seek the nomination.

The Daily News reported Monday that a number of Republicans, including state party Chairman Ed Cox, have been talking to others about possibly getting in the race.

Some leaders and donors have approached Pataki, who beat Cuomo's father in 1994 and served three terms, about a possible run, though few expect he'd do it.

Others have mentioned former Pataki top aide John Cahill and Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro.

A number of Republicans have been talking to candidates to take on Gov. Cuomo, who seeks reelection. (Angus Mordant/for New York Daily News)

"We know the Cuomo numbers are down, his aide's trial is still ongoing and there are more trials to come," Murray wrote. "We can (beat) Gov. Cuomo, but we need the right messenger."

DeFrancisco consultant Michael Lawler had no comment on the O'Brien email.

DeFrancisco's home county leader, Onondaga County Republican head Thomas Dadey, ripped O'Brien.

"It makes me wonder if disgruntled consultant OB Murray had a liquid lunch today and decided to pound this email out," said Dadey, who has already endorsed DeFrancisco.

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On a day when DeFrancisco was endorsed by Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, Dadey said that DeFrancisco has momentum.

Sources say Flanagan's home county party committee, Suffolk, will follow suit and back DeFrancisco "soon." Suffolk is one of the state's largest counties and represents about 10% of the weighted vote at the May state party nominating convention.